The E-Type Starter Kit
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The E-Type Starter Kit is a training tool targeted at small to medium systematics collections and museums of Africa, South and Central America, the Caribbean and Asia to assist in getting their primary type specimens imaged and on-line. It consists of two stages:
The
first stage, supported in part by the David Rockefeller Fund,
consists of an informational packet to serve institutions with
some digital equipment and expertise (the E-Type
Initiative), and highlights the best practices of museums
such as the Missouri Botanical Garden (MOBOT),
New York Botanical Garden (NYBG)
and Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ).
The prototype Starter Kit demonstrates what worked and why,
and contains guidelines and step-by-step instructions. Specific
procedures for imaging botanical and zoological specimens are
outlined. The goal is to present material in multiple media
outlets (print, CD, Web) so that the fullest range of access
is provided. The Jardin
Botanico Nacional and Museo
Nacional de Historia Natural in Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic, plus the Punta
Cana Center for Sustainable Tourism and Biodiversity in
the eastern Dominican Republic are examples of relatively small
research facilities that have developed a coordinated insect
imaging and databasing program.
The
prototype E-Type Starter Kit will be refined during the second
stage. It can be expanded to reach other institutions that
lack equipment and expertise (or other combinations of need).
Selected institutions could receive basic imaging set-ups
(including computer, software, scanner and camera) as part
of development during this second stage. Hosting services
for image databases, on-site training, and a help-desk for
implementation assistance will also be available. E-Type training
networks are critical to this endeavor and are built upon
present relationships between institutions in developing countries
and those based in the United States and Europe. Networks
foster outreach and training in specimen curation and handling
techniques in conjunction with e-typing. Once their own e-typing
programs are established, small to medium institutions would
be encouraged to form partnerships with other museums and
serve as mentors.
For further
information about the E-Type Initiative contact Dr.
Piotr Naskrecki.
For questions
about imaging or to receive a copy of this website on CD contact
David Wrobel.
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